Wednesday, October 30, 2013

While
PR is my bread and butter job, I also have a couple of blogs (like this one)
and am the editor of a Waikiki newsletter that
is published 2x per month.As editor, I sometimes
receive invitations to media events and recently attended a luncheon hosted by Starwood
Hotels & Resorts.

The luncheon / press briefing took on the 30th floor Leahi Club Lounge
(formerly Hanohano Room) of the Sheraton Waikiki (Sheraton Waikiki photo). This room has always been a
favorite of mine with their glass elevator and killer views of Waikīkī Beach
and Diamond Head to the left and Ala Moana and Pearl
Harbor to the right. With
lots happening this was a time for us to hear updates on what’s new at Starwood’s
11 properties (4 brands:1 – St. Regis,
1 – The Luxury Collection, 3 – Sheraton and 4 – Westin) on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii,
the Big Island.

A few highlights included:

50th Anniversary of the Sheraton Maui Hotel (photo from gohawaii.about.com).The Sheraton Maui Hotel, the first
official hotel at Kaanapali Beach Resort, opened its doors in January 1963
with a special introductory rate of $15 per night.

Starwood’s multi-million-dollar renovations and revitalization
plans ranging from redesigned rooms and the debut of new food and beverage
establishments to amenity upgrades and more to better serve the growing
needs of its guests.

New guest amenity concept at Sheraton
Waikiki.Rather that send friends
or clients a fruit basket they can’t possibly finish, you can now choose
to send an amenity bag that lets them pick their own goodies and logo
items.

A group of new, returning and experienced chefs are
creatively using locally grown produce and the finest seafood and steaks
to plan exciting and diverse dining experiences at their respective
restaurants.

We had the opportunity to
sample items prepared by five of the Starwood Waikiki culinary team:

5th Course – Chef de Cuisine
William Chen of Beachhouse at the Moana: Hawaiian Ranchers New York Strip.Spiced Heirloom Carrot, Big Island
Hearts of Palm.(No red meat for me but it
was a great looking cut of steak)

The finale was a beautiful
dessert buffet (so many choices --- I settled on the Red Velvet Cup Cake --- no photo / no calories)

For more information on
Starwood Hotels and Resorts, visit their website at